Closure of ARU nursery

Worried parents attended a packed meeting to discuss the closure of Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) pre-school nursery last night.

There were tears and personal stories recounting the problems which closing the nursery will cause.

Late last week ARU sent a letter to all the parents saying that the cost of running the nursery is the reason for the closure.

The plan is to close the nursery in June 2016.

Daniel Zeichner MP said: "It's not easy finding affordable childcare in Cambridge. Worried mums and dads have contacted me to say that losing their nursery place might lead them to have to leave their job."

Mr Zeichner has written to ARU to ask them to review their decision and to talk to other nursery providers about handing over the nursery to them to run.

Local ward councillor Richard Robertson said: "ARU are clearly not being honest about the reasons behind the decision to close the nursery. They initially said it was to save money. Then it was to find space for a student lounge. They need to be honest and open - as promised in their Mission and Values statement.

The parents with children in the nursery - students, staff and local people - face real problems finding alternative care. The way ARU took the decision without any form of consultation and the way they have tried to implement it is very unfair. It reflects badly on the university but it is not too late for reconsideration and for the nursery to have a future once again."